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Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be good for Manchester United, bad for Marcus Rashford

By Rucker Haringey

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - NOVEMBER 17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden is interviewed by Karin Frick and Hans 'Hasse' Backe for Swedish television after celebrating the qualification for the EURO 2016 in France following the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier play-off second leg match between Denmark and Sweden at Telia Parken stadium on November 17, 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - NOVEMBER 17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden is interviewed by Karin Frick and Hans 'Hasse' Backe for Swedish television after celebrating the qualification for the EURO 2016 in France following the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier play-off second leg match between Denmark and Sweden at Telia Parken stadium on November 17, 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic will help Manchester United win more matches next season, but his arrival will stunt the growth of fellow striker Marcus Rashford

Manchester United can’t be blamed for going after Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer. Even at his age, the former PSG man is a hugely impactful striker. There’s no question he can help Jose Mourinho win more games at Old Trafford next season. That doesn’t mean that it’s a home-run acquisition though.

The downside to bringing Ibrahimovic into the fold is that it will certainly disrupt the career growth of United starlet Marcus Rashford. The newly minted English International will certainly lose opportunities out his new teammate.

Some United fans will try to spin this as a good thing for Rashford. They will make the point that Ibrahimovic’s presence will allow Rashford to bed into the side more slowly, and as such, will reduce the risk of him being crushed by immense expectations.

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I actually agree with this line of thinking. Bringing Ibrahimovic does lessen the possibility that Rashford will completely collapse under the intense scrutiny of the United faithful. It essentially removes the potential worst-case scenario for Rashford next season.

However, it also effectively removes the best-case scenario for Rashford’s career development as well. The best thing that could possibly happen for the young striker would be to seize the position under his new manager and never let it go. He could establish himself firmly as Wayne Rooney’s successor at Old Trafford.

The chances of that occurring with Ibrahimovic around are greatly diminished. He isn’t the type of player to come to Manchester United and be content sitting on the bench. He’s only coming to the Premier League to play a featured role for one of the world’s most storied clubs.

Every opportunity he receives to play up top for the Red Devils is going to take an opportunity away from Rashford. I suppose it’s somewhat possible that Mourinho will deploy the two together upon occasion, but I don’t see that as regular occurrence. It’s most commonly going to be a choice between the two men.

At this stage of his career, the best thing Rashford can receive to sharpen his skills is meaningful match time. He needs to soak up every minute possible on the pitch. It doesn’t matter if United are playing a derby against Manchester City or devouring a minnow in the Europa League. Rashford’s game will benefit from each encounter.

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Instead of handing the mantle over to Rashford, Mourinho and United have chosen to bring Ibrahimovic as a short-term boost for the club. That will help Mourinho achieve a little bit more glory next season, but it will also slow down the meteoric rise of Marcus Rashford.

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